Now Or Later is the story of a political scandal breaking. Somebody posts pictures on the internet of the President-elect's son dressed up as the Prophet Muhammad. But I found the fact that these pictures emerge on US election night both unnecessary to the plot, and unrealistic. For the campaign, election night would be an ideal time for the story to break, because the front pages next day would still read: "Democrats win US presidency". And yet the President-elect and his staff treat vital election counts as if they were a test match playing in the background. I can promise you that McCain and Obama won't be running things like this on November 4.

It is in the DNA of political PRs to be paranoid. You are often dealing with issues without knowing the full story. I thought it was odd, though, that the PR team's only strategy was to plead for the son to apologise, when they could simply have disowned his actions. You know: "It was unfortunate hi-jinks, but I want to give the Muslim community every assurance that this will have no impact whatsoever ... "

There's a strange absence of panic, too, and little sense of the press pack descending. Phones would be ringing off the hook - the press would certainly have got hold of the son's number. We should have seen Fox News and the rightwing press hammering on the door.

The play is much better on the morality of compromise, the need to continually reposition yourself and react to events, which is a dilemma for everyone from local councillors upwards: when do you say things for immediate practical benefit, and when do you stick to your guns?

• Mark Littlewood is the communications director of Progressive Vision and former head of press for the Liberal Democrats. Now Or Later is at the Royal Court Theatre until November 1. Box office: 020-7565 5000